Roundabout Theatre Company confirmed late in the day March 24 that Megan Mullally had withdrawn from the new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Lips Together, Teeth Apart. The abrupt exit means a delay of the first preview, which was to be April 9. The opening night remains April 29.

Stage and Screen veteran Megan Mullally will present at the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Photo by George Lange

Roundabout artistic director Todd Haimes said in a statement, "We were surprised and disappointed that Megan Mullally had to withdraw from the production immediately in breach of her contract. With the loss of Megan in a four-person ensemble, work has been delayed after only two weeks of rehearsal. We have wanted Joe Mantello to direct this comedy since he staged a reading for us three years ago. We expect to announce replacement casting shortly."

McNally said in a statement, "Joe and I were thrilled to be in the rehearsal room with these four actors. Joe is my longest and one of my most trusted collaborators. We have waited and worked for almost three years to make this production happen. Megan Mullally's decision to withdraw at this late date is devastating."

A published report on deadline.com indicated tension between Mullally and Mantello, but that could not be confirmed by Playbill.com.

Mullally is widely known for her starring role in TV's "Will & Grace," and for her work in Broadway's Young Frankenstein and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Lips Together will play the American Airlines Theatre. All ticketholders scheduled for a cancelled preview will be contacted directly by Roundabout Theatre Company once the revised schedule has been confirmed.